Preview of Ventura Film Society’s Festival 2010 By Tim Pompey Ventura Breeze – March 10, 2010

Film lovers take heed. Elks Lodge. Downtown Ventura. The Ventura Film Society is serving up tasty cinematic treats and delectable entrees at its Festival 2010. From old classics to new premieres, documentaries to short films, it’s all there for the taking. Here’s a preview.

The film director honoree this year is . How far back does Paul go in the history of film and television? Try 1953. Stanley Kubrick’s first film, “.” Never seen it? That’s okay. Not many did. It got lost and rediscovered decades later in Puerto Rico.

Mazursky, however, has fared much better. Movies like “The Blackboard Jungle.” TV shows like “The Steve Allen Show,” “Twilight Zone,” and – ready for this? – “The Rifleman.” He still appears occasionally on the tube. Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” is a recent example. He also helped develop a little show called “The Monkees.”

In our little venue, however, he’s a movie director. He hit the cinematic scene big time in 1969 with the controversial film “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.” He’s done little films like “Next Stop, Greenwich Village,” and major blockbusters like “Down and Out in Beverly Hills.” was nominated for an Oscar in “.” won an Oscar for Best Actor in “.”

Mazursky will have eight films shown during the Festival. Best of all, he’s coming up to spend time with Film Society fans and do an occasional interview or two. I heard he likes to play cards. Anyone up for a late night poker game?

Like international films? How about Tilda Swinton in the Italian film “I Am Love”? There’s “Molokai: The Story of Father Damien” by director Paul Cox. “Paraiso Travel” follows an immigrant from Columbia into the heart of New York City. And, if you like gypsy stories, there’s “Crazy Stranger,” the story of a Frenchman who goes to Romania in search of an elusive gypsy singer.

Of course, what would the Festival be like without a boatload of award winning documentaries? The opening night premiere is the 2009 Sundance Grand Jury Prize selection “We Live in Public.” On the short doc side, there’s the 2008 Academy Award winning “Freehand.” Plus great stuff like “No Impact Man,” and “Girls on the Wall.”

Then there are those lovely short films that always crop up on the Film Society’s schedule. Returning filmmakers Gavin Heffernan and Andy Huang will show their films “Devolution” and “Rift.” And please don’t miss “We Have Decided Not to Die.” It’s eerie, eye popping, and downright mystifying.

Of course, I’ve only scratched the surface. Day and night, March 25-28, the Film Society never sleeps. You can find more information at www.venturafilmsociety.com or call (805) 641-3845. Hey folks, it’s that time in Ventura. Time for movies, movies, movies. The table is being set. Make your reservations. Bon appétit.